CONTROLLER FOR CONFIGURING A LIGHTING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - Patent application

Abstract

A method of configuring a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes a lighting control device, the lighting control device including a user input element, the user input element including an icon indicating a control function of the lighting system. The method includes acquiring an image including the lighting control device, analyzing the image, identifying the user input element in the image, identifying an icon applied to the user input element, determining a control function of the identified icon, and configuring the lighting system by associating the control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the control function.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for configuring a lighting system and a computer program product for carrying out said method. The present invention further relates to a controller for configuring a lighting system and to a lighting system including said controller. The present invention further relates to a kit of parts. [Background technology]

[0002] Connected lighting systems offer users new possibilities for controlling lighting units. As connected (home) lighting systems continue to grow, the configuration of such systems becomes more complex. When a user adds a new control device, such as a light switch, to a lighting system, the user needs to assign certain functions to the input elements (e.g., buttons, rotary elements, touch-sensitive surfaces, etc.). To do so, the user needs to assign the new light switch to a room and assign certain light settings to the different input elements. This is usually done manually via a software application that typically runs on a handheld device such as a smartphone. If the user wants to reconfigure the light switch, a similar manual task needs to be performed.

[0003] US 20190215460 A1 discloses a user interface configured to display one or more symbols for image capture by an image capture device. A computing device having image processing software can be used to detect the symbols and process the images to determine a control function associated with the symbol for controlling one or more building system components. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to improve the process of configuring lighting control devices, such as light switches. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is a method of configuring a lighting system, the lighting system comprising a lighting control device and a memory, the lighting control device comprising user input elements, the user input elements comprising icons indicating control functions of the lighting system, the method comprising: acquiring an image including a lighting control device; Analyzing the image; Identifying a user input element within the image; Identifying an icon applied to a user input element; determining a control function of the identified icon; configuring the lighting system by associating the control function with the user input element and storing in a memory the association of the control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the control function; This is achieved by a method comprising:

[0006] An icon located on a user input element (e.g., a button, a rotary element, a touch-sensitive surface, etc.) indicates a lighting control function that the user input element should perform. The icon may be applicable to the user input element by a user. The user may use a camera to capture an image of a lighting control device (e.g., a wall-mounted lighting control device or a portable lighting control device, e.g., a light switch), whereby one or more user input elements and respective icons may be identified in the image. A control function of each identified icon is then determined based on the identification, and the control function indicated by each icon is associated with each user input element. The association may be stored in a memory of the lighting system. A (central) controller of the lighting system may use the stored association to control one or more lighting units. As a result, the lighting control device is configured according to the icon(s) located on the user input element(s), and when a user activates a user input element, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the lighting control function associated with the activated user input element. This is beneficial as it improves the process of configuring a lighting control device by automatically configuring the lighting control device.

[0007] The control function of the identified icon may relate to an area of ​​the lighting system, and the lighting system may be configured by associating the user input element with an area such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units located in the area are controlled. An area is a space (e.g. (part of) a room) in which one or more lighting units are located. The lighting units located in the area may be controlled according to, for example, a predefined light setting, a user-defined light setting or a system-defined light setting. An area (e.g. a room or a part of a room such as an entertainment zone) may be defined in a memory of the lighting system, which may store information about the lighting units located in the area. A user may be able to access an icon, which may for example be attached to a user input element. This is beneficial, as the user input element is automatically configured to control one or more lighting units in the area.

[0008] The control function of the identified icon may be related to a light setting, and the lighting system may be configured by associating the user input element with the light setting such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the light setting. The light setting may be stored in a memory and retrieved from the memory when the user provides a user input in the user input element. This is beneficial because the user input element is automatically configured to control one or more lighting units of the lighting system according to the light setting when activated by the user. In the context of the present invention, the term "light setting" should be understood as a lighting control setting by which a lighting device may be controlled. A light setting may define, for example, the brightness, color, saturation, beam angle, etc. of the light output of one or more lighting units. A light setting may be an on setting, an off setting, a go-to-sleep setting, a wake-up setting, etc. A light setting may be a light scene of multiple static and / or dynamic light settings, such as a sunset scene or a candlelight scene.

[0009] The icon may have a color, and the color of the icon may indicate the light color of the light setting. A user may, for example, have access to a number of colored icons that can be attached to user input elements. This allows a user to select the color of a particular user input element and attach the attachable icon to that user input element, thereby configuring the lighting system accordingly.

[0010] The control function of the icon may relate to a type of lighting unit, and the lighting system may be configured by associating the user input element with a type of lighting unit such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of that type are controlled. This is beneficial because the user input element, when activated by a user, is automatically configured to control one or more lighting units of the type indicated by the icon (e.g. spotlights, LED strips, pendant luminaires, etc.). The lighting units of that type may be controlled according to, for example, predefined light settings, user defined light settings or system defined light settings.

[0011] The icons may have been applied to the user input elements by the user. This is beneficial because the user may apply user recognizable icons (e.g. icons for area, type of lighting unit, light settings, etc.) to the user input elements to configure the lighting control device. The icons have been applied to each user input element before the image is captured. The user may be provided with a number of attachable icons (e.g. adhesive stickers, removable vinyl stickers, etc.) that can be attached to the user input elements. Alternatively, the icons may be drawn by the user, for example, on the user input elements of the lighting control device.

[0012] The lighting control device may include a second user input element including a second icon indicating a second control function. Identifying a second user input element in the image; Identifying a second icon applied to a second user input element; determining a second control function of the identified second icon; configuring the lighting system by associating a second control function with a second user input element such that when the second user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the second control function; The (first) user input element and the second user input element are both identified (and thus distinguished) in the image, making it possible to determine which user input element is which.

[0013] The step of identifying the user input element and the second user input element may include determining an orientation of the lighting control device and identifying the user input element and the second user input element in the image based on the orientation of the lighting control device. This is beneficial for lighting control devices in which the user input elements (e.g. buttons) are symmetrically arranged, since the locations of different user input elements may be ambiguous due to the symmetry. The orientation may be determined, for example, by detecting one or more surface features of the lighting control elements indicative of the orientation of the lighting control device, may be determined based on signals received from an orientation sensor of the lighting control device, or may be determined based on user input received from a user via a user interface.

[0014] The user input element may comprise a number of icons, each indicating a respective control function, and the lighting system may be configured by associating the user input element with a number of control functions such that, when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the number of control functions. A first icon may, for example, indicate an area of ​​the lighting system, and a second icon of the same user input element may, for example, indicate a light setting. In this case, the lighting system may be configured such that, when a user provides a user input in the user input element, one or more lighting units located in the area are controlled according to the light setting.

[0015] The step of determining the control function of the identified icon may include accessing a memory, the memory storing associations of icons and control functions, comparing the identified icon to the stored icons, and selecting a respective control function for the identified icon based on the comparison. This is advantageous because by comparing the icon to a set of known icons, the control function can be determined without the need for image analysis techniques. Alternatively, the step of determining the control function of each identified icon may include analyzing the image and applying image recognition techniques to identify the control function of the icon based on one or more characteristics of the icon. This is advantageous because a greater variety of icons may be identified, and even initially unknown icons may be identified.

[0016] Further, the method comprises: obtaining a second image captured by a camera, the second image capturing the lighting control device; Analyzing the second image; and Identifying a user input element in the second image; Identifying a new icon on the user input element; determining that a new icon replaces an icon previously located on the user input element; determining a new control function of the identified new icon; configuring the lighting system by associating the user input element with a new control function such that, when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the new control function; This is beneficial as it allows a user to reconfigure an already configured lighting control device by replacing the previous icon with a new icon.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by a computer program product for a computing device comprising computer program code for performing any of the methods described above when the computer program product is executed on a processing unit of the computing device.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is to provide a controller for configuring a lighting system, the lighting system comprising a lighting control device and a memory, the lighting control device comprising user input elements, the user input elements comprising icons indicating control functions of the lighting system, the controller comprising: an input for acquiring an image including a lighting control device; Analyze the images, Identifying user input elements within an image; Identifying the icon that has been applied to the user input element; Determining the control function of the identified icon; and configuring the lighting system by associating the control function with the user input element and storing in a memory the association of the control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the control function; A processor; This is accomplished by a controller including:

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the object is to provide a method for producing a A controller; a plurality of icons attachable by a user to the user input elements, the icons representing respective control functions of the lighting system; one or more lighting units; This is achieved by a lighting system including:

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the object is to provide a method for producing a a lighting control device including user input elements for controlling lighting units of the lighting system; a plurality of icons attachable by a user to the user input element, the icons indicating respective control functions of the lighting units; A computer program product for a computing device, the computer program product, when executed on a processing unit of the computing device, acquiring an image including a lighting control device; Analysing the image; identifying a user input element within the image; identifying an icon applied to a user input element; determining a control function of the identified icon; and configuring the lighting system by associating the control function with the user input element and storing in a memory the association of the control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the control function; a computer program product comprising computer program code for executing This is accomplished by a kit of parts, including:

[0021] It will be appreciated that the computer program products, controllers, systems and kits of parts may have similar and / or identical embodiments and advantages as the methods described above.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the term "control function" should be understood as one or more control settings or control rules for one or more lighting units when a user input element of the lighting control device is activated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] The above and additional objects, features and advantages of the disclosed system, device and method will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the device and method, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: All figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale, and generally show only those parts necessary to clarify the invention, other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system including a controller, a lighting control device and a lighting unit. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a portable device for configuring a lighting control device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a system including a controller, a lighting control device, lighting units and a central control device. [Figure 4] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show diagrammatically icons on input elements of a lighting control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a kit of parts including a number of attachable icons and a lighting control device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a way of configuring a lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 including a controller 102, a lighting control device 130 and a lighting unit 120. The controller 102 is configured to configure a lighting system (including one or more lighting units 120, a memory and the lighting control device 130). The lighting control device 130 includes two user input elements 132, 134, each including a respective icon 136, 138. The icons 136, 138 (shown exemplarily as a circle and a square in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) indicate respective control functions of the lighting system. The controller 102 includes an input 104 configured to acquire an image including the lighting control device 130. The controller 102 further includes a processor 106 configured to analyze the image, identify one or more user input elements 132, 134 in the image, identify one or more icons 136, 138 that are applied to the one or more respective user input elements 132, 134, and determine one or more respective control functions of the one or more respective identified icons 136, 138. The processor 106 is further configured to configure the lighting system by associating one or more respective control functions with the one or more respective user input elements 132, 134 and storing the association of the control functions with the user input elements in a memory such that when a user input element (e.g., the user input element 132) is activated by a user, one or more lighting units 120 of the lighting system are controlled according to the respective control functions (e.g., the control functions associated with the user input element 132). The memory may be a local memory or a remote memory.

[0025] The lighting control device 130 may be any type of lighting control device including one or more user input elements 132, 134 configured to receive user input for activating a control function of the lighting system. The lighting control device may for example be a touch-sensitive surface (e.g. part of a lighting fixture) or a (wireless) light switch. The light switch may include one or more user input elements, e.g. push / touch buttons, rotary buttons, etc. A user may apply different icons 136, 138 to the user input elements 132, 134. A user may for example apply an icon indicating a certain light setting to a button of the light switch such that when the button is pressed the button is configured to control one or more lighting units 120 according to the light setting, or an icon indicating a dimming control to a rotary button such that when the rotary button is rotated the rotary button is configured to brighten / dim one or more lighting units 120. Further examples of icons and respective control functions are provided below with reference to Figs. 4a-4c.

[0026] The icon indicates a control function of the lighting system. The control function may be recognizable by a user. The icon may, for example, indicate an area of ​​the lighting system (e.g., toilet or bathroom, as shown in FIG. 4a) or a light setting (e.g., night setting or office setting, as shown in FIG. 4b), thereby allowing the user to recognize the control function of the icon.

[0027] The control functions of the icons may be predefined and a memory (e.g., a local memory 108 or a remote memory 109 accessible over a network or the Internet) may store an association of icons with their respective control functions. Alternatively, the control functions of the icons may be undefined and may be determined by analyzing the icons, such as by applying image recognition techniques to the icons in an image to determine their (potential) control functions.

[0028] The icons 136, 138 may be, for example, adhesive stickers, clear replaceable stickers, magnets, etc. that may be attachable to the user input elements 132, 134. Alternatively, the icons 136, 138 may be applied to the user input elements 132, 134, for example, by drawing the icons 136, 138 on the user input elements 132, 134.

[0029] The controller 102 may be configured to configure the lighting system based on one or more identified icons 136, 138 in an image including the lighting control device 130 and its one or more user input elements 132, 134. The controller 102 may be included in a portable user device, for example a smartphone, tablet PC, smart watch, etc. Alternatively, the controller 102 may be included in a central control device (e.g. a hub, bridge, central home control system, etc.) of the lighting system. Alternatively, the controller 102 may be located in a server remote from the lighting system and connected to the lighting system via the internet.

[0030] The controller 102 includes an input 104 configured to acquire images including the lighting control device. The images are captured by a camera, e.g., a camera of a portable device such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, smart glasses, etc. FIG. 2 shows an example of a portable device 202 including a camera 204 and a display 206 showing the captured images. In one example, the controller 102 may be included in a portable device such as the portable device 202 of FIG. 2, and the input 104 may be an input 104 of the processor 106. In another example, the controller 102 may be included in a device that does not include a camera (e.g., a central control device such as a bridge or hub, or a remote device such as a remote server). The input 104 may be a communication unit configured to receive images from an image capture device (e.g., a smartphone, a camera, etc.) via a (wireless) network.

[0031] The processor 106 (e.g., circuitry, microcontroller, etc.) is configured to analyze the image to identify (detect, recognize) one or more user input elements 132, 134 within the image and to identify (detect, recognize) one or more icons 136, 138 applied to the user input elements 132, 134. Such image analysis techniques are known in the art and will not be discussed in detail.

[0032] The processor 106 is further configured to determine a control function of the identified icon. The processor 106 may be configured to access a memory (e.g., a local memory 108 or a remote memory 109 accessible via a network or the Internet). The memory 108, 109 may store an association (e.g., a look-up table) of (predefined) icons and control functions. The processor 106 (or the remote processor) may be configured to compare an icon identified in the image (e.g., the circle 138 in FIG. 1 ) with icons stored in the memory 108, 109, and to select a respective control function for the identified icon (e.g., the circle 138) based on the comparison. Alternatively, the control function of the icon may be undefined (i.e., not predefined and not stored in the memory 108, 109), and the processor 106 (or the remote processor) may be configured to determine the control function of the icon by analyzing the icon, such as by applying image recognition techniques to the icon in the image to determine the (potential) control function of the icon. Examples of control functions are provided below with reference to FIGS. 4a-4c.

[0033] The processor 106 is further configured to configure the lighting system by associating the determined control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units 120 of the lighting system are controlled according to the control function. After determining the control function for the one or more user input elements 132, 134 based on the identified icon, the processor 106 may configure the lighting system accordingly. The processor 106 may store the association of the control function with the user input element in a memory 108, 109 of the lighting system. The controller 102 may include a transmitter 110 configured to communicate the association to one or more devices of the lighting system (e.g., via a wireless network). The processor 106 may store the association in a memory of the lighting unit 120 such that, for example, when the lighting unit 120 receives a control signal indicating activation of the user input element, the respective control function is executed. Alternatively, the processor 106 may store the association, for example in a memory of the lighting control device 130, which may communicate a control signal to the lighting units 120 indicating the control function associated with the activated user input element. Alternatively, the processor 106 may store the association, for example in a memory 109 of a central controller of the lighting system. FIG. 3 shows an example where the association is stored in the central controller 140. Upon receiving a control signal from the lighting control device 130 indicating the activation of a user input element, the central controller 140 may communicate another signal to the lighting units 120 indicating the respective control function. It is noted that the above system architectures are merely examples and that those skilled in the art may design alternatives without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0034] The one or more lighting units 120 include one or more (LED) light sources. The one or more lighting units 120 may be light bulbs, light strips, TLEDs, light tiles, etc. The one or more lighting units 120 may include a control unit, such as a microcontroller (not shown), for controlling the light output generated by one or more light sources (e.g., LED light sources) based on received lighting control commands (which may be received directly from the lighting control device 130 or indirectly, e.g., via the central control device 140). The lighting control commands may include lighting control instructions for controlling the light output, such as color, intensity, saturation, beam size, beam shape, etc., of the one or more light sources.

[0035] 4a-4c show examples of icons 436a, 438a, 436b, 438b, 436c, 438c being applied to user input elements 432a, 434a, 432b, 434b, 432c, 434c of respective lighting control devices 430a, 430b, 430c.

[0036] FIG. 4a illustrates an example where the control functions of the icons are associated with respective areas of the lighting system. The processor 106 may be configured to configure the lighting system by associating respective user input elements with respective areas such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units located in the respective areas are controlled. For example, a first lighting unit 420 may be installed in a first area 440 and a second lighting unit 422 may be installed in a second area 442. The first and second lighting units may be commissioned and associated with the respective areas 422, 442. In the example of FIG. 4a, the first area 440 may be a toilet and the second area 442 may be a bathroom. The user may apply a first icon 438a indicating the first area 440 (toilet) to the first user input element 434a and a second icon 436a indicating the second area 442 (bathroom) to the second user input element 432a. The user may then supplement the image of the lighting control device 430a, whereby icons 438a, 436a are identified and respective user input elements 434a, 432a may be associated with respective areas 440, 442 (e.g. by storing the association in memory 108, 109) such that if a first user input element 434a is activated a first lighting unit 420 in a first area 440 is controlled and if a second user input element 432a is activated a second lighting unit 422 in a second area 442 is controlled. The lighting units 420, 422 located in the respective areas may be controlled according to, for example, predefined, user defined or system defined light settings.

[0037] FIG. 4b illustrates an example in which the control functions of the icons are associated with respective light settings. The processor 106 may be configured to configure the lighting system by associating respective user input elements with respective light settings such that, when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units are controlled according to the light settings. In the example of FIG. 4b, the first icon 438b may be an icon indicating a night light setting (e.g., a light setting / scene defined by a low dimming level for one or more lighting units) and the second icon may indicate an office light setting (e.g., an energizing light setting defined by a bright cool white light setting for one or more lighting units). The user may apply the first icon 438b indicating the first night light setting to the first user input element 434b and the second icon 436b indicating the office light setting to the second user input element 432b. The user may then supplement the image of the lighting control device 430b, thereby identifying icons 438b, 436b, and the respective user input elements 434b, 432b may be associated with the respective light settings (e.g., by storing the association in the memory 108, 109) such that if the first user input element 434b is activated, the lighting unit 426 is controlled according to a night light setting, and if the second user input element 432b is activated, the lighting unit 426 is controlled according to an office light setting. The icons may have a color, and the color of the icon may indicate the light color of the light setting. The user may, for example, have access to multiple colored icons that can be attached to the user input elements. The user may, for example, attach a blue icon to the user input element, and the lighting system may be configured such that if the user activates the user input element, one or more lighting units 120 are controlled according to a blue light setting.

[0038] FIG. 4c illustrates an example where the control functions of the icons are related to the type of each lighting unit of the lighting system. The processor 106 may be configured to configure the lighting system by associating each user input element with a type of each lighting unit such that, when the user input element is activated by the user, one or more lighting units of the respective type are controlled. For example, the first lighting unit 426 may be of a first type (e.g., LED strip) and the second lighting unit 427 may be of a second type (e.g., spotlight). This information may be stored in the memory of the lighting system. The user may apply a first icon 438c indicating the first type (LED strip) to the first user input element 434c and a second icon 436c indicating the second type (spotlight) to the second user input element 432c. The user may then supplement the image of the lighting control device 430c, which identifies icons 438c, 436c, and the respective user input elements 434c, 432c may be associated with their respective types (e.g. by storing the association in memories 108, 109) such that if a first user input element 434c is activated, a lighting unit 426 of a first type (LED strip) is controlled, and if a second user input element 432c is activated, a lighting unit 427 of a second type (spotlight) is controlled. The lighting units 426, 427 may be controlled according to, for example, predefined, user defined or system defined light settings.

[0039] Furthermore, the processor 106 may be configured to identify the first and second user input elements 132, 134 in the image based on the orientation of the lighting control device 130. The lighting control device 130 may be symmetrical (such as the lighting control device depicted in FIG. 1), which may create ambiguity in determining which lighting control element is which. The orientation of the lighting control device may be determined, for example, by detecting one or more surface features of the lighting control element in the image that indicate the orientation of the lighting control device. The lighting control device may include, for example, a logo that may be detected in the image, allowing the orientation of the lighting control device 130 to be determined. Alternatively, the lighting control device may have a predefined orientation. The lighting control device may be configured to be mounted on a wall in only a single orientation (e.g. due to the location of the mounting means of the lighting control device 130). As a result, the lighting control elements have a predefined location relative to the lighting control device, allowing the processor 106 to identify the respective lighting control element. Alternatively, the orientation may be determined based on a signal received from an orientation sensor (not shown) included in the lighting control device 130. Alternatively, the orientation may be determined based on user input received from a user via a user interface, for example a touch-sensitive display included in the portable device 202 .

[0040] The processor 106 may be configured to detect multiple icons on a single user input element, each icon indicating a respective control function. Furthermore, the processor 106 may be configured to configure the lighting system by associating the user input element with multiple control functions such that, when the user input element is activated by the user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the multiple control functions. The user may have applied different icons to the single user input element, for example, icon 438a and icon 438b. The processor 106 may identify both icons of the user input element and determine the multiple control functions for the single user input element based on the identified icons, in this example, associating the user input element with a night light setting and a toilet area such that, when the user activates the user input element, the toilet lighting unit 420 is controlled according to the night light setting.

[0041] Further, the processor 106 may be configured to detect whether the user replaces the initial icon with a new icon, and the processor 106 may reconfigure the lighting system based on the replacement of the initial icon. The processor 106 may obtain a second image captured by the camera via the input 104, similar to the initial configuration, the second image capturing the lighting control device 130, analyze the second image, identify user input elements 132, 134 in the second image, identify a new icon on the user input elements, determine that the new icon replaces an icon previously located on the user input elements, determine a new control function for the identified new icon, and configure the lighting system by associating the new control function with the user input element such that, if the user input element is activated by the user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the new control function. This allows the user to reconfigure the lighting system.

[0042] 5 shows an example of a kit of parts including a plurality of attachable icons 500 (e.g., stickers on a sticker sheet, interchangeable vinyl stickers, magnets, etc.) and a lighting control device 130. A user may take one or more stickers and apply them to one or more of the user input elements 132, 134 and perform the steps described above to configure a lighting system. The kit of parts may further include one or more lighting units 120. The kit of parts may further include a (downloadable) computer program product configured to perform the steps of the method of the appended claims (also shown in FIG. 6).

[0043] 6 illustrates generally a method 600 for configuring a lighting system. The lighting system includes a lighting control device 130, which includes user input elements including icons representing control functions of the lighting system. The method 600 includes: Acquiring 602 an image including a lighting control device; Analyzing 604 the image; Identifying 606 a user input element within the image; Identifying 608 an icon that is applied to the user input element; determining 610 a control function of the identified icon; configuring 612 the lighting system by associating the user input element with a control function such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled according to the control function; Includes.

[0044] The method 600 may be performed by computer program code in a computer program product when the computer program product is executed on a processing unit of a computing device, such as the processor 104 of the system 100 .

[0045] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting of the invention, and that those skilled in the art can design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0046] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer or processing unit. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used to advantage.

[0047] Aspects of the invention may be embodied in a computer program product, which may be a collection of computer program instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device that may be executed by a computer. The instructions of the invention may be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including, but not limited to, a script, an interpretable program, a dynamic link library (DLL), or a Java class. The instructions may be provided as a complete executable program, a partial executable program, a modification (e.g., an update) to an existing program, or an extension (e.g., a plug-in) to an existing program. Additionally, parts of the processing of the invention may be distributed across multiple computers or processors, or a "cloud."

[0048] Suitable storage media for storing computer program instructions include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, but not limited to, EPROM, EEPROM and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal and external hard disk drives, removable disks and CD-ROM disks. The computer program may be distributed on such storage media or may be made available for downloading via HTTP, FTP, email or a server connected to a network such as the Internet.

Claims

1. 1. A method of configuring a lighting system, the lighting system comprising a lighting control device and a memory, the lighting control device comprising user input elements, the user input elements comprising icons indicating control functions of the lighting system, the method comprising: acquiring an image including the lighting control device; analyzing the image; and identifying the user input element within the image; identifying the icon applied to the user input element; determining the control function of the identified icon; configuring the lighting system by associating the control function with the user input element and storing in the memory an association of the control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the control function; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control function of the identified icon relates to an area of ​​the lighting system, and the lighting system is configured by associating the user input element with the area such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units located in the area are controlled.

3. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control function of the identified icon relates to a light setting, and the lighting system is configured by associating the user input element with the light setting such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the light setting.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the color of the icon indicates the color of the light setting.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control function of the icon is related to a type of lighting unit, and the lighting system is configured by associating the user input element with a type of lighting unit such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the type are controlled.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the icon is applied to the user input element by a user.

7. The lighting control device includes a second user input element including a second icon indicating a second control function, the method comprising: identifying the second user input element within the image; Identifying the second icon applied to the second user input element; determining the second control function of the identified second icon; configuring the lighting system by associating the second control function with the second user input element such that, when the second user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the second control function; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

8. The step of identifying the user input element and the second user input element comprises: determining an orientation of the lighting control device; identifying a user input element within the image based on the orientation of the lighting control device; The method of claim 7, comprising:

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input element comprises a plurality of icons, each icon indicating a respective control function, and the lighting system is configured by associating the user input element with the plurality of control functions such that, when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the plurality of control functions.

10. The step of determining the control function of the identified icon comprises: accessing a memory, the memory storing associations of icons and control functions; comparing the identified icon with the stored icon; selecting a respective control function for the identified icon based on the comparison; and The method of claim 1 , comprising:

11. The method comprises: obtaining a second image captured by a camera, the second image capturing the lighting control device; analyzing the second image; and identifying the user input element in the second image; identifying a new icon on the user input element; determining that the new icon replaces an icon previously located on the user input element; determining a new control function for the identified new icon; configuring the lighting system by associating the new control function with the user input element such that, when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the new control function; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

12. A computer program for a computing device comprising computer program code for performing the method according to claim 1 when the computer program is executed on a processing unit of the computing device.

13. 1. A controller for configuring a lighting system, the lighting system comprising a lighting control device and a memory, the lighting control device comprising user input elements, the user input elements comprising icons indicating control functions of the lighting system, the controller comprising: an input for acquiring an image including the lighting control device; Analyzing the image. identifying the user input element within the image; identifying the icon that is applied to the user input element; determining the control function of the identified icon; and configuring the lighting system by associating the control function with the user input element and storing in the memory an association of the control function with the user input element such that when the user input element is activated by a user, one or more lighting units of the lighting system are controlled in accordance with the control function. A processor; Including, the controller.

14. A controller according to claim 13; a plurality of icons attachable by a user to the user input elements, the icons indicating respective control functions of the lighting system; one or more lighting units; 2. A lighting system comprising:

15. a lighting control device including user input elements for controlling lighting units of the lighting system; a plurality of icons attachable by a user to the user input element, the icons indicating respective control functions of the lighting units; A computer program according to claim 12; Includes parts kit.

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